Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
203. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made regarding the provision of air transport between Dublin and Kerry; the issues to be considered in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39826/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Stobart Air previously held the contract for operating Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services on two routes between Dublin and the airports of Kerry and Donegal. Following Stobart Air’s announcement on 12 June that it was entering liquidation, all services on the PSO routes were cancelled with immediate effect.
As regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government, my Department launched an emergency procurement process to restore these vital services on 21 June. During this process, Ryanair made an offer to operate the same level of service on the Kerry route but with no subsidy from the State.
In accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2008, which governs air service PSOs, an EU air carrier is allowed to commence scheduled air services on PSO routes provided all public service requirements are met.
In this regard, Ryanair has given assurances to my Department that it will meet the public service requirements on the Kerry/Dublin route, ensuring fixed standards of continuity, regularity and pricing. As well as a commitment to operating a sustainable service, it will also provide higher levels of seating capacity – more than double the amount previously provided by Stobart Air on the route.
Ryanair recently announced that it will operate a single daily return service on the Kerry route from 28 July, increasing to a twice daily return service from 1 September.
